Kawasaki ZX9R

[ZXR400Lee]

Hey all

Anyone own a ZX9R? What do you think of it? Pro's and Con's?

Also differences other than cosmetic between the models? I'd like a E1 or E2.. cant financially stretch to a F1P..

For some reason I've always wanted a ZX9R since I started riding..

Cheers

Lee

[Princess]

To be honest,

After my 400 I was looking at 1 litres etc....

Obviously couldn't afford a new bike then but I looked at the ZX9R but, for the same money, you can, in my eyes, get a better bike. I never liked the handling of the old shaped kwacks, 6r or the 9R. I bought a 99 Foxeye Fireblade instead and handled alot better.

the 9R looks ok, goes well etc but never really pulled me in enough to buy it. Pity as the newer models are spot on.

You can pick up an old blade or TLS for around £1200 for clean ish model.

[graham22]

To be honest,

After my 400 I was looking at 1 litres etc....

Obviously couldn't afford a new bike then but I looked at the ZX9R but, for the same money, you can, in my eyes, get a better bike. I never liked the handling of the old shaped kwacks, 6r or the 9R. I bought a 99 Foxeye Fireblade instead and handled alot better.

the 9R looks ok, goes well etc but never really pulled me in enough to buy it. Pity as the newer models are spot on.

You can pick up an old blade or TLS for around £1200 for clean ish model.

+1 Like he said, ZX9R's that I've ridden have always seemed fast in a certain Kawasaki type of way but the handling always felt remote & floaty (can't think of a better way to describe it) compared to Fireblades I owned & even a FZR1000EXUP-RU which was heavier but still felt connected.

Incidently, even though the ZX9R felt quicker, the Blade well & truely beat it at Portreath RWYB.

Depends how much you want to spend but how about a Y or K model GSXR750.

[thelastsuperpower]

+1 Like he said, ZX9R's that I've ridden have always seemed fast in a certain Kawasaki type of way but the handling always felt remote & floaty (can't think of a better way to describe it) compared to Fireblades.

Totally agree, as much as i love my 9, my mates 98 blade feels so much easier to manhandle into corners.Not that the zx9r is a bad bike or anything it just isnt quite as well handling as the competition.
Engine goes like f*cking stink tho!

Only bad points on my model are carb icing and front brake lever travel,however the later models are unaffected i think.
There is one issue which a lot of 9 owners,including myself,suffer from and thats a small hesitation coming back on the throttle which at times can upset you mid-corner.something to do with the emulsion tubes iirc.

Plus points - the engine is a screamer!the airbox howls at you and the top end rush is great.Power is very aggresive feeling compared to my friends softer-delivered blade.Comfy and looks sexy,if a little chunky, too!

A great road bike for your money

[ZXR400Lee]

Cool.. something to think about.. a few people have said Fireblade to me, not sure which again is the right model to go for but I like the look of the CBR900 RR-X..

I'm limited really due the cost of my insurance after mentioning my claim in November..

[thelastsuperpower]

If you go for a blade go for the newest you can really,the last of the 90's blades had more capacity,better looks and other minor improvements over the earlier models.Not sure about the newer 929's as ive never ridden one.
Same with most bikes tho really,its the mileage and the condition which are more important.

As i said ealier the blade feels a lot less aggressive and urgent than the ninja, not to say it lacks excitement(it doesnt ), it just goes about it in the typical Honda smooth,civilised way:D
Either way if you go for a zx9r or blade,be prepared to have your legs splayed cos those fuel tanks are gurt big chunky buggers!

[ZXR400Lee]

Insurance is double for me for a Fireblade compared with a ZX9R.. same age.. both 1999 bikes, same value..

Anyway.. for me, I'm a Kawasaki person.. and probably the sort of person that will end up buying the 9R just because I want one and ignore the fact that there are better bikes for the same money out there to buy!

[greg]

Think hard about a Thunderace. Comfy and mental once you rev beyond a certain point, it's like all the lunatics in the asylum got out at the same time...... I've had two.
Good spread of torque at toodling pace. Will tour and scratch.

[thelastsuperpower]

Oh yeah BTW you can fit a tin of sliced carrots,a large onion and a tub of clover under the pillion seat of a zx9r with room to spare.
Try that on a 2009 blade!

[Tomahawk R1]

Oh yeah BTW you can fit a tin of sliced carrots,a large onion and a tub of clover under the pillion seat

What were you making?

[thelastsuperpower]

Cottage pie!

[ZXR400Lee]

Really liking the look of Suzuki TL1000S now.. and bonus its £180 cheaper to insure than the ZX9R..

oh yeh.. and dont really like Yamaha's pre R6/R1

[Maver-Nick]

Anyway.. for me, I'm a Kawasaki person..

Really liking the look of Suzuki TL1000S now..

Come on now Lee... It's make your mind up time...

[ZXR400Lee]

9R..

Read too many bad reviews about Suzuki TL-S unique handling characteristics too put me off..

[Maver-Nick]

I must admit I came within a gnats knacker of owning a zx9r, I've always luvved 'em...

but the guy flogging it changed his mind as I was about to hand him the cash...